Western Cape Education Department's Revised Policy for Learner Admission to Ordinary Public Schools in the Province

The beginning of the 2004 school year also saw many schools being confronted by late applications and classroom shortages, which resulted in delays in the start of the learning process.

As part of my budget speech on 22 June 2004, I committed the department to:

- A strategy for meeting the immediate shortages of classroom space in identified "hot spots", in conjunction with Transport and Public Works, to prepare for the 2005 school year.

- To revised policies and strategies for learner enrolment, to ensure a smooth start to the 2005 school year. Many parents have complained that their children are unfairly excluded from certain schools.

The revised policy, which will go out to all our schools tomorrow, is intended to guide the process for the 2005 school year. I am committed to ensuring that this policy is continuously reviewed and improved.

In our efforts to review policy, the WCED will be evaluating the prescriptions regarding admissions as contained in the Western Cape Schools Act, as well as the possibility of zoning as spelt out in the National Education Policy Act (Nepa).

The administration of admissions is the responsibility of school management. This policy is not intended to take that power away. However, the WCED has a Constitutional obligation to make sure that all our children get access to education. We are guided by national as well as Western Cape legislation.

The revised policy is designed to facilitate admissions in a timely, efficient and lawful manner to enable teaching and learning to commence on the first day of school next year.

Our schools cannot plan ahead properly if they do not know how many children they must accommodate.

Therefore my call to parents is: Vuka! Wake Up! Skrik Wakker! Dis al weer daai tyd van die jaar. Do not mess with your child's future...

Apply NOW, before 15 September, if your child:
1. is going to grade 1 next year,
2. is going to high school (grade 8),
3. or will be changing schools.

The government is committed to building the Western Cape as a Learning Home for All our children.

To this end the department will do everything possible to ensure places for every child next year, and that we have sufficient textbooks and other learner support materials to meet their needs.

The most important features of the revised policy are the following:

• The admission policy of a school must not unfairly discriminate in any way against applicants.
• Learners shall be entitled to education at the nearest school, in so far as it is reasonably practical.
• The Head of the Department of Education must co-ordinate with governing bodies so as to ensure that all eligible learners are suitably accommodated.
• The governing body or principal may not administer any test relating to the admission of a learner.
• Similarly, schools may not use the process of interviewing parents and learners as a discriminatory screening mechanism.
• Only where placement in a specific course or programme, eg. technical field of study, dance or music, is required; and it would be in the educational interest of the learner, he or she may be requested by the department to undertake a suitable test to assist a placement decision.

A further important part of this policy, is that no learner may be discriminated against or victimised because the parent:

(a) is unable to pay or has not paid the required school fees
(b) does not subscribe to the mission statement and code of conduct of the school, or
(c) has refused to enter into a contract in terms of which the parent waives any claim for damages arising from the education of the learner.

If an application for admission to a public school is refused, the principal must, in writing, furnish reasons to the parent for such a decision. If the parent is not satisfied, he or she may appeal to the MEC for Education.

The department wants to emphasise, though, that the timeframes (as per the policy) must by no means be used as mechanisms to deny learners access to education.

With regards to school fees, the following:

• Governing bodies may not charge any registration, deposit, re-admission or pre-admission testing fees.
• Payment of any fees may be requested only after a learner has been accepted for admission to a school.
• No application for admission may be turned down because a parent or learner cannot pay the annual amount or part thereof.
• School governing bodies must inform parents of their right to apply for full or partial exemption from school fees.
• Therefore schools may not withhold examination and assessment results, reports, transfer certificates or learning materials from the learners and their parents.

We are launching a massive media campaign to remind parents to apply for admission by 15 September.

Radio stations and community papers will carry this message frequently in the coming weeks, and we will distribute about 150,000 pamphlets in targeted areas.

As MEC, I will send a letter to all schools urging them to act in accordance with the letter and spirit of the new policy. I will also ask schools to send a message from the MEC, addressed to parents.

We will also convene various community meetings to inform parents of their rights and responsibilities. Part of this responsibility remain that parents who can afford to, must continue to support the school and pay fees.

We look forward to working with the media. By assisting us in our efforts to ensure a smooth start to the 2005 school year, the media will contribute significantly to improving the quality of education in the Western Cape.

I urge all of you to assist us in our continued endeavours to truly build this province as a Learning Home for All.

Thank you

For enquiries, contact Gert Witbooi: 082 577 6551, or gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za.

Gert Witbooi
Media Liaison Secretary
Office of the MEC for Education
Western Cape
Tel: 021 467 2523
Fax: 021 425 5689
Visit our website: http://wced.wcape.gov.za

The Western Cape - A Home for All
INtshona Koloni - iKhaya loMntu wonke
Die Wes-Kaap - 'n Tuiste vir Almal